Three Vietnamese fishermen detained in Pulau Bidong waters

Published: March 11, 2017 12:11 AM GMT+8

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KUALA TERENGGANU, March 10 — The Marine Operations Force (MOF) detained three Vietnamese fishermen for allegedly using joint trawl in the Pulau Bidong waters about 10 nautical miles off Sungai Terengganu, last Wednesday.

MOF Region Three commander ACP Zulkafli Sariaat said the men, including a skipper, aged between 20 and 35, were picked up at 9pm after the patrol team detected two Johor-based boats in the area.

“The fishermen had immediately cut the main trawl ropes upon seeing the marine police, while another boat fled the scene.

“Checks on the boat revealed that it was modified. The Vietnamese fishermen were hired with no proper documentation,” he said in a statement here today.

Zulkafli also said the marine police found three communication devices which did not adhere to the standards set by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

The case is being investigated under the Fisheries Act 1985 and the MCMC Act 1998. — Bernama